Pneumatic y-branch test plug



March 10, R E S I PNEUMATIC Y BRANCH TEST PLUG Filed Aug. 24. 1929 Patented Mar. 10, 1931 Unrrsn sures-Parsererrant HARRY nnnns, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA PNEUMATIC Y-ZBRANGH TEST PLUG Application filed August 24, 1929. Serial N0. 388,221.

This invention relates to devices designed as a whole, the same being preferablyconfor use in closing pipes or pipe fittings structedof'a rubber treated fabric of a con-i when the same are to be subjected to tests struction similar tothe air bags employed in for imperfections and relates more particutire'vulcanizers. As shown, the plug is of 5 larly to a plug designed to close Y' or elbow elongated cylindrical formation and has each fittings for this purpose. end closed by the semi-spherical walls 2, one

The primary object of the present invenof which has extended therethrough an air tion is to provide a pneumatic plug which valve 3 which may be of the-type commonly may be readily introduced into a fitting and used upon automobile tire inner tubes.

l inflated to positively and completely close Adjacent each end there is vulcanized to 69 the same so that the test upon the piping and about the plug body a broad relatively will be accurate and reliable. heavy band lof soft rubber.

The invention broadly contemplates the Between the bands .tthe body has-wrapped provision of a hollow body having closed thereabcut'a wire reinforcement 5- which is rounded ends and formed of a sturdy fleXiembedded in the body-Whichacts topreventble material such as rubber reinforced fabrupture of this part of the plug when the ric. Adjacent each end, the body has same is in use and at the same time prevents formed thereabout a broad heavy band of complete collapse of the body. relatively soft rubber and intermediate its In Figure 1 the application of the plug to ends between the bands, the body is Wrapped a Y fitting is shown, the plug being inserted with light wire to prevent rupture when air into the fitting through the lateral branch under pressure is injected thereinto by a thereof while the fitting is in position in a valve mounted at one end, pipe line. The pipe sections of the line in The invention will be best understood which the fitting is placed are not shown.

from a consideration of the following do, The permanent slightly arcuate contour of 5 tailed description taken in connection with the body facilitates the ready insertion Of the the accompanying drawing forming. a part same mtothe fitting, as will be apparent, and of the present specification with the underit is ofcourse understood that thebody is instanding, however,- that the invention is not serted in a deflated condition and after being fi d t any t i t f r ity with th properly posltioned air is injected thereinto 80 showing of the drawing but may be changed through the valve 3 to distend the body and or modified so long as such changes or modthus bring about firm contact between the ifioation mark no t ri l d art f bands 4, which as previously described are the alient features f th in ntion as preferably of soft rubber, and the wall of the pressed in the appended claims. n losing bod v 'In th drawing; Air may then be introduced into the pipe Figure l'is a view of the device embodyline of which the fitting 7 forms a part to ing thepresent invention showing the same test the pipe for imperfections, the bands 4 in side elevation and in applied position. 0f the plug preventing the air passing 40 Figur 2 i an enlarged view of th lug through the lateral arm of the fitting and also ea showing the same partly in sect-ion and partly beyond the plug into the rest of the pipe. i in elevation. The wire reinforcing material 5 about the Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longicentral portion of the .body prevents bulging tudinal section showing in detail the mountor breaking of the body when the same is in ing of the wire reinforcement on the flexible the condition shown, as it will be obviousthat bag. this part of the body becomes subjected to a Referring more particularly to the drawing great deal of strain when air under high preswherein like numerals'of reference indicate sure is introduced therein and particularly 7. corresponding parts throughout the several whenthe body is bent in the manner shown.

5 views, the numeral 1 indicates the plug body From the foregoing description it will bep readily seen that test plugs of the character herein described may be easily and economically made and are easy to use and will eifectively close the body into which they are introduced.

l/Vhile the present testing plug has been shown in association with a Y fitting and the descriptive'matter has been confined to its employment in such a fitting, it is 01 course to be understood that I do not wish to be limited in any manner to the use of the fitting in this way for it will be obvious that the same may be used in a straight pipe or in fittings of other form.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is "1. A test plug of the character described comprising an elongated hollow body having each end closed, an air valve opening through the wall of the body, contact bodies surrounding each end of the hollow body for engagement with the wall of a pipe to be tested when the hollow body is inflated, and reinforcing means about the hollow body between said contact bodies whereby to prevent collapsing of the body upon deflation thereof, or stretching of the intermediate portion upon inflation thereof.

2. A test plug of the character described comprising an elongated hollow body having each end closed, an air valve opening through the wall of the body contact bodies surround ing each end of the hollow body for engagement with the wall of a pipe to be tested when the hollow body is inflated and reinforcing wire imbedded in and wrapped about the hollow body intermediate the ends thereof to prevent rupture of the body when in use and to prevent collapsing of the body when not in use. i

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

HARRY DREES. 

